Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-08-18


the three men standing there by the
now useless wheel.
The place where the vessel had
grounded was so near to the low coast
of that part of the island that a man
might easily have let himself down by
the bows and waded ashore. The water
astern was less than two fathoms, and
it shoaled rapidly to the shore. The
wind had continued so fresh that the
headway of the vessel drove her hard
onto the bottom when her course
was treacherously changed, and at
least half her keel was fast in the clay
She lay motionless, slightly careened
over to the port side.
The sun was setting. In the brief
iull that followed this first stunning
blow of the mutineers, Captain Willis
sanxiously swept the horizon with his
glass. The broad Bahama Channel
was before him, but the view was here
and there cut off by islands.
No sail was in sight.
We have said that at first no word
was spoken by the Captain, Crawford
or the mate. The scene described in
the last chapter had passed almost in
a flash; but its terrible meaning was
perfectly understood. 1t needed no
explanation from the mate to tell the
Others that Puryis had been murdered
for the purpose of Disgusting the viper
whom the Captain had warmed and
cherished to his own undoing.
Five minutes passed-dreadful min
utes, that seemed like hours. Nothing
was as yet stirring forward; not man
was to be seen. Crawford and the
Captain grasped each his revolver; the
mate had heavy capstan-bar, which
he had kept handy since the anchor
was weighed. 1t was his pistol that
Crawford had.
The situation was one to require no
words, and hardly to allow of words.
They realized that desperate DEATH
grapple was at hand. Each quietly
stood and nerved himself for it.
Probably the same anxious question
occurred to each of them. They were
to contend with four times their own
number. They were to fight where de-
feat meant death! Was there shelter or
protection of which they could avail
themselves?
The open deck was before them. As
far rs amidships there was no shelter
save the boats slung at the sides and
the slight coop over the cabin stairs.
They were useless.
Once the Captain looked inquiringly
at Crawford, and pointed down toward
the cabin. Crawford shook his head.
Without word, each understood and
consented. To seek the shelter of the
cabin would be to put themselves at
the mercy of the mutineers, like rats
in trap.
A man suddenly appeared above the
deck from the forehold-or rather, his
head was at first elevated above it, and
his hand waved white handkerchief.
live got a proposition to make to
you. on the part of the crew. If you'll
promise to hold your pistols off I'll
come out and talk with YOU"
The voice was that of Louis Hunter
Captain Willis heard it, and ground
his teeth with rage.
"Come," was all he could say.
"But you won't shoot?"
elf you are brief-no."
Hunter reached the deck, and came
hesitatingly aft.
Haltr' the Captain cried, when
he was about a rodr~<-ay; t.what dye
want?"
I'd like first to explain myself"
said the renegade. I'D like to have
you understand that what I've done
has been under compulsion, and only
because l was threatened with death.
/ want to mediate between YOU and
the crew. l believe l can save your
lives; at least, l know what they are
willing to do. I'll befriend you if
you'll let me-"
as a damnable traitor" the Captain
exclaimed. IF ever man would be
justified in breaking his word, should
be now, with such fendish scoun-
-drel as you are. / don't know what it
is keeps me from putting ball
through you.''
Hunter turned very pale, and fell
back step.
But you are safe for the moment
what do you want?"
"The crew say they will have the
ship. 1 suppose they want to plumber
her; they know you have gold in your
cabin. They couldn't agree about
sailing her, or you'd all been killed in
the night, and the ship taken down to
the Isle of Pines. They say that if
you'll give up your pistols, you shall
be safely put ashore"
Captain Willis exchanged few
words with Crawford, while the rene
gade continued his talk:
I'D advise you to do it. You've
got firearms. it is true; but they'll do
you little good in close quarters. The
crew are Desperate; you need not look
for the slightest quarter if you decline
their terms. You may kill one or two
of them; but your fate is certain.
What do you say? just hand over
your pistols to me, and I'll tell them
you have yielded"
answer him." the Captain said, in !
a low tone to Crawford. II can't COM |
mand myself to do it. l should GER
tainly shoot him before l said ten
words"
Your terms are declined, sir, said |
Crawford 1--WE are all agreed that
not the slightest trust can be placed in
the craW-and still less in Yourself. |